Closer Lyon has slight tear in rotator cuff

Closer Brandon Lyon heard two things a pitcher never wants to hear in one sentence.

“Tear” and “rotator cuff.”

Lyon has what doctors have characterized as a slight tear and is opting for a non-surgical recovery. The first step is to eliminate the inflammation in his shoulder. The next step is to build back the strength in a weakened shoulder.

“You never want to hear anything like that, but it just comes with the territory in this game,” said Lyon, who had a 7.15 ERA (3.04 above his career norm) in his 12 outings this season. “The way my shoulder has been feeling, after getting tested by the doctor and seeing where my strength was really at, it was like I can really improve in these areas, and it’s probably going to make my arm feel a lot better.

“It’s obviously not great to hear you have anything going on in your shoulder, but it’s the nature of the game. I’m sure a lot of pitchers have stuff like this; they just don’t know it.”

Lyon was stunned to learn during the examination that preceded a trip to the disabled list that his right (pitching) shoulder has about half its normal strength. He’s encouraged, though, by what doctors tell him about his prognosis.

Another day, another name in the No. 2 spot in the Astros’ batting order. The No. 2 hitter du jour against Reds righthander Homer Bailey was Angel Sanchez, who got the start at shortstop in place of Clint Barmes.

Sanchez was the fifth player in the past five games to inhabit the No. 2 spot. Friday, it was Michael Bourn (1-for-4). Saturday, it was Jason Bourgeois (1-for-3 before suffering a strained oblique that landed him on the 15-day disabled list). Sunday, it was Barmes (0-for-3 with a walk). And Monday, it was J.R. Towles (0-for-4) moving above the No. 7 spot for the first time in his career.

For Sanchez (.284, one home run, 16 runs batted in 116 at-bats), it was his first start at shortstop since May 1. Barmes has hit safely in five of his last seven games, batting .269 with a .345 on-base percentage during that stretch.

Manager Brad Mills said with today’s day game after a night game, he wanted Barmes to rest in one of the two. Barmes is 1-for-11 against Bailey and 2-for-5 against Edinson Volquez, today’s starter.

Numbers game

Roy Oswalt’s No. 44 isn’t back in circulation just yet.

Lefthander Sergio Escalona, who wore No. 44 during spring training and was listed as such on the official roster when the Astros announced his recall on Monday, reported to the team Tuesday. When he arrived at Minute Maid Park, his new jersey was awaiting — No. 52.

“We don’t care about numbers,” Escalona said, smiling. “We care that we’re in the big leagues right now. That was crazy, seriously. I didn’t know he was No. 44. About a week later, they told me.”

Escalona, 26, made it to the majors with the Phillies in 2009. He had a 4.61 ERA in 132⁄3 innings and landed back in the minors in 2010. The Astros acquired him in January for infielder Albert Cartwright. Escalona said he had only himself to blame for having spent last year at Class AA.

“I was like lazy,” Escalona said. “I was thinking, ‘I did it.’ I gained so much weight, like 20 pounds. It’s almost like I closed the door on myself. I was working so hard this year. I don’t know why in spring training I wasn’t doing so great (10.13 ERA), but as the season started, I started doing better and better.”

Escalona had a 3.38 ERA and three saves in 13 appearances with Class AAA Oklahoma City. The night before the Astros designated Nelson Figueroa for assignment to open a roster spot, Escalona said he dreamed he’d gotten back to the majors.

“In my dream, I was saying, ‘Please, I hope this is real life,’ ” said Escalona, a native of El Tocuyo, Venezuela. “When I woke up, I was like, ‘Oh, my God.’ Now it’s real. I called my mom yesterday. She was crying. It’s a big step for me, for the people in Venezuela, for my family, the people in my town.’”

Odds and ends

Astros starting righthander Brett Myers is 0-3 in his past four starts, having allowed 21 runs on 34 hits in 23 innings. His ERA has gone from 2.39 to 5.01. …With Oklahoma City catcher Carlos Corporan out for a month with an injury, the Astros signed former Ranger Max Ramirez to a minor league deal. The Astros expect Ramirez, 26, who has a .343 on-base percentage and .357 slugging average in 45 major league games, to report today. … The Astros expect infielder Jeff Keppinger (foot surgery) to begin a rehabilitation assignment Thursday or Friday.